Gabriel: Suki, stop calling us Mister. Even if you think of us as strangers, we are your family. So please, talk to me freely and call me Gabriel at least.

Salvatore: Gabriel is right. I would appreciate if you call me Dad...

Suki didn't look at Salvatore. She was not ready to even consider that man as her father, so calling him Dad, not an option. It was only her and her mother since she was born, and it was enough for her. No need for a paternal figure or brothers that clearly didn't want to have her in their lives. Gabriel served her a glass of juice; he felt her embarrassment.

Gabriel: Here. What do you want with this? Just a glass of juice is not enough.

Suki: Thank you... I am not hungry.

Salvatore: If you don't like what is on the table, our chef can prepare anything you want. You have to eat something.

Gabriel: Fruits? It's light and good for your health.

Enzo: Are you two playing with a doll? Stop forcing her to eat if she doesn't want to. (Suki looked at him, surprised of his help.)

Salvatore: Enzo, we are not forcing her, but it is better for her to start the day with a good meal.

Enzo: Dad, not everyone eat 3 meals a day... either by choice, convenience or just because they can't afford it!

Suki kept her eyes on Enzo. That boy, with a face saying "I don't care about anything" was stating things that seemed so simple, but so true too. If a young man like him could understand that, why an adult like Mr Smith, couldn't?

Suki: Sorry, I am really not hungry. Mister, when can I see Mom?

Enzo: Hump... are you sure to be her father? It doesn't seem that she accepts you... if she didn't have the same eyes as Gab, I would have bet that you kidnapped her...

Gabriel: Enzo, stop your bul... nonsense.

Salvatore: Mr Park, the social worker, is coming at noon. When this formality is over, I will take you to the hospital. But Suki, please, stop with the Mister thing.

Gabriel put a plate of fruits in front of Suki, in hope that she will at least try to eat if the food was served. Enzo continued his feast and soon, they were joined by Dante and Gianni. They were sweaty, coming from the gym room. They were talking to each others and stopped when they entered the dinning room and spotted Suki. They both sat at the opposite side of the table.

Gianni: So, it was not just a bad dream caused by the alcohol...

Salvatore: Both of you could have take a shower before coming here. (He sighed.)

Gianni: Why? (He smelled himself.) I do not stink! (He took off his shirt, exposing his numerous tattoos and some old wounds.)

Gabriel: Gianni... (He eyed toward Suki.)

Gianni: What? I will not change my way of living just because that thing is here for few days!

Gabriel: Gianni! (His tone was harder.) Change your attitude!

Salvatore: Boys, calm down. The dinning table is not a place to fight, even more between brothers. Davide and Vito are still sleeping?

Dante: Probably...

Salvatore: The social worker is coming soon, and I would like to have a family meeting before, so everyone can introduce himself to Suki and I can explain everything to you. I will see all of you in the living room in 30 minutes.

No one commented at Salvatore's words. His tone was well known by his sons, when things were serious enough, to not dare to talk back. The head of the family stood up and left. He went to his office, located in what could be seen as a garden house by people was where he arranged his personal space, Salvatore and Dante's offices and a meeting room.

Suki didn't know what to do. She didn't feel to eat, was too uncomfortable to say something and didn't dare to just stand up and leave. Fortunately for her, Gabriel had finished his breakfast and asked her to follow him to the kitchen. He introduced her to Aldo, the Chef and Maria, the maid. The little girl politely greeted them, and they were glad to meet her.

Enzo went upstairs to wake up his twin, and younger brother. They were clearly not happy to be awaken, finding that it was way too early to leave their beds. But going against their father was not in their plans, so they prepared themselves and were ready on time in the living room. Dante and Gianni also went to wash and dress after breakfast.

At 11.15, just like asked by Salvatore, the entire family gathered in the living room. There was tension in the room.

Salvatore: First of all, let me introduce you once again Suki. She is 11. We both found out about each other's existence last night and it was confirmed by a DNA test that I was her father. Suki's mother, Fumiko, is Japanese, as you could have notice. Something happened last night, and she is currently at the hospital. Until she can recover, Suki is staying with us. I ask you to be gentle and welcome her well. She is your little sister, you all are grown men, so act like.

Gabriel: This situation is easy for no one. It's normal to not be at ease but let's try to be considerate of each others. Suki, you already know, I am Gabriel, your eldest brother, I'm 29. (He looked at Dante who chose to stay silent.) You already met Dante, he is the second eldest, he is 27. Then, the one who likes to expose his muscle, Gianni, 25. (He looked at the three youngest.) Do you want to introduce yourself or should I continue?

Enzo: Enzo, 19, his twin. His name is Davide. And our youngest, Vito, 18... well technically, not that young and not the youngest anymore. (He looked back at Gabriel.) Happy?

Gabriel: Thank you, Enzo. Suki, please follow me, Father needs to talk with the boys, or do you have something else to say?

Suki shook her head and stood up. She bowed to everyone and followed Gabriel. She knew that they were hostile to her presence but even in those circumstances, she wanted to keep a good behavior, just like her mother taught her. She dared to look at Salvatore before leaving the room and he had what she recognized as a kind gaze.

The first question came when Suki and Gabriel were still in the corridor, and she heard it and her newly father's answer.

Salvatore: If you have questions, I will answer to you honestly.

Davide: Did you cheat on our mother with that girl?

Salvatore: No. Never, even if having a short relationship with Fumiko was a mistake, it happened after your mother left us.

Suki stopped walking at his answer and Gabriel understood that she also heard their father's terrible words to talk about her conception.

Gabriel: Suki...

Suki: Sorry... Mister Gabriel... I... I need... to use the restroom, please.

Suki didn't wait Gabriel's authorization and ran toward the stairs. She didn't know where the restrooms were, but she could use those of the guests' room, and at this moment, she just wanted to be alone and cry.

Gabriel: Suki!... Fu**... (He went back to the living room.)

Salvatore: Gabriel... where is Suki?

Gabriel: Upstairs. She heard you saying that she was the fruit of a mistake... you should have chosen a different word.

Vito: It is what she is... a mistake...

Salvatore: Vito! It was not my words. Having a relationship with a young woman because I was sad and grieving was a mistake, that's what I want to say. Gabriel and Dante are already aware, I met Fumiko while looking for the cause of the accident of your mother. Fumiko lost her mother in that accident and things happened. I didn't know that Suki was born from that relationship until last night.

Gianni: It pisses me off that you were not more careful while you fuc** that bit***. If one of us comes back home with a bastard, what will you say?

Salvatore: Gianni, mind your language!

Davide: He is not wrong. Who knows if you don't have other kids all around the country! And why did that woman contact you last night? Does she want money?

Salvatore: She didn't contact me. There was an attack at the Asian bar where I was, and she was injured. She works there. It was a pure hazard. We found out Suki when your brothers went to her apartment to inform her family.

Dante: She will be gone in few days max... we can just ignore her until then and forget that she ever exists.

Salvatore: She is your little sister, my daughter, my blood.

Vito: You are barely a sperm doner, she is not one of us! We didn't share the same womb; I will never consider her like my family!

Gabriel banged his hand on the table and stood up. His brothers' hateful words gave him the will to throw up. Salvatore understood his reaction, he was himself disappointed by his sons' reaction.

Gabriel: Are you all listening to yourselves? If I follow your way of thinking, I am not your family too. I am not your older brother because we have different mothers! You are all grown men but react like little kids, jealous of the birth of a new sibling! No one asked you to welcome her like you were waiting for her arrival but at least, show some respect and courtesy! Or at least, just ignore her, it's still better than treating her like shit!

Gabriel left the living room with anger and sadness. An awkward silence took place in the room after that. Salvatore felt responsible of the chaos created in his family.

Enzo: Guys, you screwed up, seriously.

Davide: Shut up Enzo! Gabriel overreacted! He knows that it's different! How could he compare himself to that kid?!

Salvatore: How is that different? Tell me? Dante? Vito? No one? You know, I can't change the past. But as a man, I will assume my actions and do what I have to do.

Gabriel went upstairs to be sure that the little girl was fine.

Gabriel: Suki... I'm coming inside... (He entered the room.) Suki, I guess that what you heard hurt you but please, don't hide yourself. (She opened the bathroom door and came out.) Thank you.

Suki: I want to see Mom... and go home.

Gabriel: As soon as Mr Park finishes his control, I can take you home to grab some stuffs before heading to the hospital. What do you think about that?

Suki: It's maybe better... if I ask Mr Park... to take me to the children center until Mom can leave the hospital.

Gabriel: Forget about that. We are your family; we will not let you go to that place with strangers.

Suki: I am a stranger for your family too...

Gabriel: (He sighed.) This is the longest conversation that we had, and the topic is not really pleasant. To be honest with you, I don't know how to interact with a little girl like you. You are so different of us... not a in a bad way... just different...but you probably feel the same way.

Suki: Is this really true?

Gabriel: What do you mean?

Suki: That Mr Smith is my father...

Gabriel: Is it that difficult to believe? Your mother never mentioned anything? (She shook her head.) You never wondered from who you inherited those eyes? You must have noticed that Father and I have the same eyes color. (She nodded.) As soon as I saw you, I had a doubt and the DNA test made at the hospital confirmed it. Your mother probably had her reasons to not tell anything to anyone and when she will feel better, she can reply to yours and Father's questions.

Gabriel was glad that Suki was slowly opening to him. He looked at her and smiled naturally.

Gabriel: We really need to make a stop at your apartment to take your clothes. You look even more tiny in that jogging... even if you are cute.

Suki: Your clothes are too big...

Gabriel: They are Vito's clothes and the smallest I could find. Are you ready to go downstairs? Mr Park should arrive anytime soon. (She nodded.) You don't really like to talk, right?

Suki: Sorry...

Gabriel: Don't be sorry. Suki, I will have to ask you a favor concerning the boys. They still find difficult to accept that our Father had a child with another woman, but I am sure that they will accept you soon. So, please, don't take to heart if they say something to you or about you.

Suki: Okay.

Gabriel and Suki went downstairs. The ambiance in the living room was strange, a mix of annoyance, embarrassment and disappointment. There was gazes exchanged but no words. Suki looked down as soon as she entered the room. Fortunately, the awkwardness didn't last too long, Salvatore's assistant arrived with the social worker.

Mr Park: Mr Smith. I didn't expect to have so many people present for our RDV.

Salvatore: They are my sons. They are legitimate to be here.

Mr Park: Alright, Suki, how do you feel? Did you sleep well?

Suki: Yes... I'm fine.

Mr Park: I prepared some documents for you to sign. I need to check the installation of your house, even if I can see that you are not lacking space nor money. It's the weekend but you will have to make sure that she can go to school normally.

Salvatore: It will not be a problem. Let me show you Suki's bedroom and the rest of the house.

Salvatore asked Suki to accompany them for the tour of the house. The head of the family explained to Mr Park that the room Suki used was temporary and that he will rearrange another room more adapted to a teenage girl. Suki discovered the house by the same occasion, and she was astonished by everything.

In the living room, the boys were talking between them then Gianni left. He had to go to one of his training center. Gabriel went to the kitchen to talk with the assistant. They were still waiting for a report about Fumiko's life for the past decade.

Salvatore's assistant gave a brief debrief about what they found on Fumiko and Suki, before giving the full report to his boss.

The meeting between Salvatore and Mr Park went well. The social worker tried to talk a bit more with Suki, but she gave him short answers. Mr Park asked Salvatore to complete the procedure regarding his paternity recognition with the authority.

When they were done, only Gabriel was still present in the living room. He was waiting for his little sister, to take her to the hospital, as promised. Mr Park left after booking another RDV in 2 days.

Salvatore: Gabriel, while you take Suki to her apartment to grab her stuffs, I'm going to the hospital. We can see each others over there. Do you need one of your brothers to go with you?

Gabriel: It's okay. No need to force them to do something they don't want to do. Give them some time to process everything. Let's go.

The trio separated in the front alley. Salvatore went with his assistant in a car, where a driver and a bodyguard were waiting.

After 30 minutes, Gabriel parked in front of the old building. There was a lot of people in the street, not really the best type of neighborhood. They walked inside and the young man was in alert, ready to face any type of situation. They crossed path with an old lady living at the first floor, who couldn't avoid to ask questions to the little girl. Who was that man? Where was her mother? Where was she coming from?

Suki wasn't good to lie, so Gabriel explained that he was her relative and that her mother was busy with work. He didn't have to tell her the truth and attracted useless attention.

Gabriel: Take whatever you need. If you want my help, tell me.

Suki went to her bedroom to pack a bag, with some clothes for her and an outfit for her mother too, in anticipation of her release from the hospital. She grabbed her school bag and went back to the living room.

Gabriel, in the meantime, was observing the main room with more attention than last night. He saw photos of Fumiko and Suki. He took one of the little girl when she was a baby and put it on his pocket.

Suki put the bags near the entry door, and she grabbed a chair and got on it near the kitchen cupboard.

Gabriel: What are you doing? (He came closer and put his hand on her back.) It's dangerous, get down.

Suki: I need to take something. (He grabbed her by her waist and put her down.) Ahhh... (She was startled.) what...

Gabriel: Tell me what you need, I can take it for you.

Suki: It's a little pocket.

Gabriel: This? What is it? (He gave her the pouch.)

Suki: Our in case of emergency money...

Gabriel: Do you need to buy something? You don't have to worry about the hospital fees or whatever. If you need anything, you tell me, we will buy it for you.

Suki: Thank you, but Mom prepared this in case of something happens.

Gabriel sighed and shook his head. One step ahead, two steps back, that was what he felt about his relationship with her.

On Salvatore's side, the drive to the hospital was devoted at reading the information gathered by his men regarding Fumiko and Suki.

He found out that she didn't seem to have any relationship after they broke up. She moved often too across the country and having at some period 2 jobs at the same time. Jobs with low exposure and low recognition. Salvatore had more and more questions. He knocked at the door and entered the room; Fumiko was awake, but she seemed still very tired.

Fumiko Tanaka: Salvatore... where is Suki?

Salvatore: She is with Gabriel; they made a stop at your apartment. Do you feel better? Can we have a talk?

Fumiko Tanaka: Hum... What... do you want... to know?

Salvatore: What happened in your life? Why did you stop your studies? Is it because of your pregnancy? Why didn't you contact me? I could have help you or did you think that I would reject you and your child?

Fumiko Tanaka: No, on the contrary... I didn't tell you because... I knew that you would have wanted to assume this paternity and I didn't want to put you and your family in a complicated situation...

Salvatore: It would not have been easy but, you shouldn't have face everything alone. And why does it seem that you were living like people on run?

Fumiko Tanaka: How... How do you... know?

Salvatore: I found out... so, it is true. Who were you running from? (Fumiko stayed silent for long seconds.) Fumiko, tell me.

Fumiko Tanaka: My family... I hide from my father...

Salvatore: Why? I though that he didn't care about you.

Fumiko Tanaka: Yes... until he found out about you... about your Mafia business... (Salvatore frowned.)... My father's family is part of the Yakuza.... He wanted to force a marriage between us because we slept together... so I ran away... and few weeks after, I found out that... I was pregnant... with Suki. (She paused.) I couldn't let him control our lives... I am sorry... really... I never wanted that to happen...

Salvatore was shocked to learn about this. But he understood the situation and he felt sorry for Fumiko. Her father never cared about her, and he only saw her as a pawn when she could be useful for his own interest. She tried to protect him and his family and for that, she sacrificed her own freedom.

Salvatore: Shh... calm down, it's okay, it's all in the past. You are not alone now. I will help you and Suki to live a decent life.

Fumiko Tanaka: No... We can't... stay in your life...

Salvatore: Why? I am not telling you that we will be in a romantic relationship, but we can raise Suki together, as parents.

Fumiko didn't know what to answer. She never imagined that this could be an option. It was her and her daughter and it was enough for them. She needed to talk to Suki before taking a decision. A knocked was heard and Salvatore turned himself to find Dante standing near the door.

Salvatore: Dante? Since when are you here?

Dante: A moment... you didn't notice that the door wasn't closed. (He looked at Fumiko with a cold gaze.)

Salvatore: Why are you here?

Dante: I wanted to hear what she has to say. I think we all deserve to know the truth.

Salvatore: I would have appreciated if you notified us of your presence instead of listening what could have been a private conversation.

Dante: Sorry but your privacy is what troubling our lives now!

Salvatore glared at Dante. Fumiko felt sorry for Salvatore's son. By their selfish needs, they had hurt his children and now her own daughter too. She wished to be able to erase their pain.

Her sad expression changed when she saw Suki at the door with Gabriel. The little girl also smiled a little when she saw her mother.

Suki: Okasan... (In Japanese.) How are you feeling? Does it still hurt a lot? What did the doctor say? When can you go home?

Fumiko Tanaka: (In Japanese.) Suki... I feel better, but you have... to be strong... for mommy. In few days... just in few days, I will be with you.

Suki: (In Japanese.) I don't want to leave you alone here... I don't want to be far from you... I don't need a father; I want only you.

Fumiko Tanaka: (In Japanese.) What's wrong? Did something happen last night with Salvatore? He is a bit shocked by the news too, but he is not a bad person, he will take care of you.

Dante: Hey, speak in English! (Suki startled.)

Salvatore: Dante!

Fumiko Tanaka: Sorry... we were not talking... about you...

Salvatore: Don't mind him. If Suki is more comfortable to speak in Japanese with you, it's okay.

The three men went outside, and they talked about what Salvatore learnt. Suki and her mother had a moment just the two of them, even if Fumiko had difficulties to stay awake because of the medicine. After the doctor came for a check-up, Salvatore and his children had to leave.